Indicator for mail-boxes.



Patented July 1, I902.

C. E. HERD INDICATOR FOR MAIL BOXES.

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lApplication filed Dec. 18, 1901.)

Fug de osn oriekgd INIMUM d P on E S 8 M Q h 6 a rtozvwng citizen of the United States, residing at Hid- UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

INDICATOR FOR MAIL- BOXES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,920, dated July 1, 1902.

Application filed December 18, 1901. Serial No. 86,427. (No model.)

To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, GHAELEs E. HERD, a

dlesboro, in the county of Bell and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indicators forMail- Boxes; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This inventionrelates to an indicator for mail-boxes, and has for itsobject toprovide. means whereby postmasters may determine whether or not the particular compartment or box in which the indicator is located is for rent or in use.

A further object is to provide an indicator which will make itapparent to the clerk or postmaster the exact condition of the boxas, for instance, the number of keys on hand, the time the rental expires, whether or not the rental is overdue, and any other information necessary in conducting the business.

Other objects, as well as the peculiar construction of the indicator, will be described hereinafter and illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents an end view of a lockbox, showing the invention applied. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View of one end of the indicator.

The reference-numeral l designates an ap proximately rectangular skeleton frame constructed of wire of suitable stability to retain its shape, and on one endof said frame is pivotally secured a label-holder 2, formed of a piece of sheet metal, on three sides of which are inwardly=bent flanges, 1 forming grooves to receive a label or card containing printed matter or provided with spaces for proper insertions. The top edge 40f the label-holder is bent back from the end bar of the frame, so as to embrace the same and form a support for said label holder. contain any matter suitable for the purpose for .which it is intended and may readily be removed when desired. On the opposite end of the frame is'a hinged tag provided with suitable characters, words, or letters to indi-' cate that the box is vacant. In using the device in the event that the box is for rent the tag will be provided with the character to denotethat the boxis vacant and will be displayed conspicuously by inserting the frame within the space formed by the box and permitting said tag to protrude a slight distance therefrom. I

The card may be inserted, as before stated, in the opposite tag-holder, showing the condition, &c., of the box.

It will thus beseen that I have provided an improved means for indicating the condition under which the mail-box may be rented, thus saving the time and labor of the clerks employed.

I claim Anindicatonfor mail-boxes comprising an approximately rectangular frame, constructed of a single piece of wire, of a hinged labelholder on one end thereof provided with an internal flange on one of its sides to form grooves to receive a removable card, and a rearwardly-turned flange on the top of the labelholder embracing the end bar of the frame and-a hinged indicating device on the opposite end of the frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. HERD.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. FREOH, 13. F. FUNK.

This card may 

